Hollywood Must Face The Music

Raw talent is undeniably the most important thing for someone to make it big in the industry. Of course, a pleasing personality and a beautiful face to boot are also big factors but not all the time that famous musicians and singers are always good looking. Many things have changed in the music industry over the years. Gone were the days when people used to listen to cassette tapes or their walkman to enjoy a good song or two.

Nowadays, everything has gone digital. Although conventional CDs are still sold by music labels and make up a big chunk of music sales, music is now being sold online through iTunes, for instance, where everyone can listen to their favorite music from the comfort of their smartphones. Technology may have helped the music industry grow and reach out to more people but it has also limited the industry in some ways. Even the movies are also affected by all these changes.

With theater attendance at a two-decade low and profits dwindling, the kind of disruption that hit music, publishing, and other industries is already reshaping the entertainment business. From A.I. Aaron Sorkin to C.G.I. actors to algorithmic editing, Nick Bilton investigates what lies ahead.

The future looks dismal and it is expected to get worse than it is now.

In the mid-90s, the first time I downloaded an MP3, I realized that the music industry was in grave trouble. People who were my age (I wasn’t old enough to legally drink yet) didn’t want to spend $20 on a whole compact disc when all we coveted was a single song on the album. Moreover, we wanted our music immediately: we preferred to download it (illegally) from Napster or eventually (legally) from iTunes without the hassle of finding the nearest Sam Goody. It turned out that this proclivity for efficiency—customizing your music and facilitating the point of sale—was far from a generational instinct. It explains why the music industry is roughly half the size it was one decade ago.

These preferences weren’t confined to music, either. I also felt the raindrop moment firsthand when I began working at The New York Times, in the early 2000s. Back then, the newspaper’s Web site was treated like a vagrant, banished to a separate building blocks away from the paper’s newsroom on West 43rd Street. Up-and-coming blogs—Gizmodo, Instapundit, and Daily Kos, which were setting the stage for bigger and more advanced entities, such as Business Insider and BuzzFeed—were simultaneously springing up across the country. Yet they were largely ignored by the Times as well as by editors and publishers at other news outlets. More often than not, tech-related advances—including e-readers and free online blogging platforms, such as WordPress and Tumblr—were laughed at as drivel by the entire industry, just as Napster had been years earlier.

The glamour of Hollywood is slowly disappearing as technology starts to dominate the world. Compared to other industries where high-tech gadgets are the main products, it is easy to see how much the music industry has fallen behind.

Hollywood, these days, seems remarkably poised for a similar disruption. Its audiences increasingly prefer on-demand content, its labor is costly, and margins are shrinking. Yet when I ask people in Hollywood if they fear such a fate, their response is generally one of defiance. Film executives are smart and nimble, but many also assert that what they do is so specialized that it can’t be compared to the sea changes in other disrupted media. “We’re different,” one producer recently told me. “No one can do what we do.”

That response, it’s worth recalling, is what many editors and record producers once said. And the numbers reinforce the logic. Movie-theater attendance is down to a 19-year low, with revenues hovering slightly above $10 billion—or about what Amazon’s, Facebook’s, or Apple’s stock might move in a single day.

(Via: http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/why-hollywood-as-we-know-it-is-already-over)

And it does not help that performers and artists invest too much of their time and attention to political issues that the nation faces and attack the new president every chance they get instead of focusing on their artistry.

So who are the A Listers who’ve ruled out performing at Donald Trump’s Inauguration balls?

For his part, Trump denies that he cares. After stories circulated that top names were refusing to perform at his January 20 inauguration, Trump tweeted that he preferred to party with “the people.”

The biggest name to surface so far, the Beach Boys, were a “maybe.” But that hasn’t yet panned out. The Rockettes are performing. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is too. Jackie Evancho of America’s Got Talent is confirmed. The latest performer to say maybe: British inger Rebecca Ferguson, who says she would “graciously accept” but only if she can perform Strange Fruit, a protest song about lynchings, according to BBC.

Tim Rushlow and His Big Band, which performs retro hits by American icons like Frank Sinatra, will perform as Donald and Melania Trump make their first dance, Buzzfeed reported. Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down, and Lee Greenwood are also lined up to perform.

(Via: http://heavy.com/news/2016/12/donald-trump-inauguration-musicians-list-performers-said-no-rejected-celine-dion-garth-brooks-kiss-andrea-bocelli-kanye-west-elton-john-chainsmokers/)

It is hard to tell what’s in store for the music industry in the years to come because the world is still changing as we speak. Technology becomes further advanced as the days go by and the industry has to keep up with all these changes if they want to stay relevant in the new world that is to come.

Even though the people will always have a place for music in their lives, the first thing that artists, music labels, and record companies should address is to overcome challenges involving technological advancements so they can reach out to more people who will listen and patronize their music.

Hollywood Must Face The Music Find more on: The Degrafa Blog

source https://www.degrafa.com/hollywood-must-face-the-music/

How Data Is Stolen From Your Computer Hard Drive

We all rely on technology to get things done nowadays. From simple household chores, school assignments, work research, entertainment, and so much more, technology is at its core. So, it is not unusual to find a computer or other smart gadget in every home these days. These gadgets are far becoming more of a necessity than the luxury that it once was.

While most of us may own a computer or a laptop today, it does not mean that we are all tech-savvy when it comes to using it. We may know how to navigate the web and perform basic and some semi-advanced computer functions but it does not necessarily mean we can fix our computer once it gets broken because more often than not, we don’t. Only experts have extensive computer hard drive know-how. It involves familiarization with various technical processes and terminologies that one learns from in school.

However, as we increase our computer use, we become more vulnerable to hacking and scamming threats. Now, are you capable of protecting your computer and yourself from cyber criminals?

Researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) Cyber Security Research Center have demonstrated that data can be stolen from an isolated "air-gapped" computer's hard drive reading the pulses of light on the LED drive using various types of cameras and light sensors.

In the new paper, the researchers demonstrated how data can be received by a Quadcopter drone flight, even outside a window with line-of-sight of the transmitting computer.

Air-gapped computers are isolated -- separated both logically and physically from public networks -- ostensibly so that they cannot be hacked over the Internet or within company networks. These computers typically contain an organization's most sensitive and confidential information.

Led by Dr. Mordechai Guri, head of R&D at the Cyber Security Research Center, the research team utilized the hard-drive (HDD) activity LED lights that are found on most desktop PCs and laptops. The researchers found that once malware is on a computer, it can indirectly control the HDD LED, turning it on and off rapidly (thousands of flickers per second) -- a rate that exceeds the human visual perception capabilities. As a result, highly sensitive information can be encoded and leaked over the fast LED signals, which are received and recorded by remote cameras or light sensors.

(Via: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170222145754.htm)

And while all of us are hooked on social media and busy stalking other people on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, etc., cyber criminals are also busy finding ways to make more money at the expense of stealing someone’s information and making profits out of it. And more often than not, these things happen without us knowing.

Now the lab’s team has found yet another way to undermine air-gapped systems using little more than the sound emitted by the cooling fans inside computers. Although the technique can only be used to steal a limited amount of data, it’s sufficient to siphon encryption keys and lists of usernames and passwords, as well as small amounts of keylogging histories and documents, from more than two dozen feet away. The researchers, who have described the technical details of the attack in a paper (.pdf), have so far been able to siphon encryption keys and passwords at a rate of 15 to 20 bits per minute—more than 1,200 bits per hour—but are working on methods to accelerate the data extraction.

“We found that if we use two fans concurrently [in the same machine], the CPU and chassis fans, we can double the transmission rates,” says Guri, who conducted the research with colleagues Yosef Solewicz, Andrey Daidakulov, and Yuval Elovici, director of the Telekom Innovation Laboratories at Ben-Gurion University. “And we are working on more techniques to accelerate it and make it much faster.”

(Via: https://www.wired.com/2016/06/clever-attack-uses-sound-computers-fan-steal-data/)

Important data stored on your computer’s hard drive is not as safe as what we want to make ourselves believe in. Hackers and scammers have found various ways to do this right under our noses. What you may think of as an innocent sound made by your CPU’s fan is actually your data being stolen right in front of you. You’d be surprised at the capacity of viruses and malware to infect your computer and steal valuable personal information.

So, as a precaution, install anti-virus software or web application firewalls to prevent damaging malware from infecting your system. Or, just be more cautious on the sites you visit and avoid installing cookies as much as possible. You’d be surprised how a little common sense can go a long way. Even though technology may be too much for your simple brain, the web is a rich resource of what-to-dos and whatnots for virtually all questions you can think of.

The following blog article How Data Is Stolen From Your Computer Hard Drive See more on: The Degrafa.com Blog

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SME Businesses In The Digital World

As technology takes over the world, businesses must also go digital in order to keep up and maintain their business. Traditional small and medium businesses have no choice but to establish an online presence to stay relevant in a world that is continually changing and improving. Most big businesses got this aspect covered because they have the money to burn and the manpower to do the job for them but many small and medium enterprises struggle in making this transition, with many forming professional groups to cooperate and share resources.

A globally interconnected world can actually work to your advantage because you are no longer limited by physical barriers that normally affect businesses in the past. The world is your oyster and you can make business in different corners of the world, which can probably increase your profit by more than you can imagine. However, for newbies and entrepreneurs who have no idea how to navigate technology, it might be a struggle and can greatly impede the growth of their business.

The entrepreneurial landscape has been transformed by global interconnectivity, new supply chains, dynamic emerging markets and technological innovation. For European small businesses, taking full advantage of these opportunities and continuing to reach new customers in today’s global economy is vital for growth and ongoing success.

To remain competitive and ensure you stay on the upward track, it is important to make consistent improvements to your business.

Revisit your business plan

Update your plan thoroughly at least once a year as your business evolves. Bringing it up to date will allow you to step back from day-to-day activities and re-align your strategy, ensuring the big picture still makes sense.

Build a strong team

It’s no secret that high-performing companies have high-performing teams. Having the right infrastructure for growth is important and this starts with having talented and engaged team members throughout your organization.

Don’t be afraid to pitch to investors

Fundraising can be hard work and the opportunity to raise investment can come in many ways and from many places. Consider pitching to investors or securing alternative funding through other channels. 

Go global

With the rise of ecommerce, there are a number of exciting opportunities for international trade and overseas business success. If you’re planning to go global, consider which markets would be the most beneficial to your business and prepare a clear exporting strategy. 

Build up your business image

Your online presence is crucial to creating a good first impression. Ensure your website and social media channels reflect your brand values and the image you’d like to project. 

(Via: http://www.smeweb.com/sme/five-things-smes-can-do-to-boost-their-businesses)

Taking the big leap might be a little scary for a small-time business owner but your business will stagnate and so will you if you don’t take the risk. While there are risks involved depending on the direction you are planning to take, you can always research and make preparations in advance.

Avoiding technology to reduce complexity is certainly not an option. SMEs often get caught in the trap of using one-off IT solutions to meet short term needs. That approach quickly results in problems as more disjointed solutions are added to the mix. This is why many SMEs often have the misperception that digital transformation is costly and difficult to manage, or that employees will get bogged down by inefficiency.

Whether you’re a logistic company competing with disruptors or a food producer looking to reinvent to expand globally - there are enormous business opportunities and cost-savings to reap by using technology to modernise and scale their business, fuelling productivity and growth.

SMEs have the advantage of being flexible, adaptable, scalable and responsive – will they be bold and stand out in the digital economy?  Innovating will give them the edge. The imperative is to focus on simplifying your business with technology now – in the long run, it will perform better and grow faster. 

(Via: http://www.enterpriseinnovation.net/article/smes-take-center-stage-digital-economy-1881989613)

The only way for any small or medium-sized company to succeed is to go up. There is actually more room for growth for you than the bigger companies because you are yet to tap new markets and resources, of course, with the help of social media marketing and other digital tools that help promote your business at a fraction of the price of traditional advertising. There is a way if you just persevere and don’t throw in the towel just yet.

Technology may be a bit daunting for the untrained eye but you can always use it to your advantage once you learn to accept that it is here to stay. Once you have changed your disposition on things, you can finally see your business in a new light and see clearly the direction you want it to take. Take your cue from other small and medium businesses who managed to make it big on the web.

Take social media marketing seriously because you’ll never know how much money you can milk from it unless you apply it to your own business. Hence, don’t be afraid of all these changes and use technology to your advantage by leveraging your business and tapping new opportunities only the World Wide Web can offer.

The article SME Businesses In The Digital World was originally published on Degrafa.com

source https://www.degrafa.com/sme-businesses-in-the-digital-world/

What Is Charity Like In The Modern World

Since time immemorial, there are people who are more generous than others. Giving back to the poor is something natural for them. Their selfless attributes are probably what shaped modern charity and gift giving in the world today. Not everyone has the same opportunities in life and those who have been blessed more than others feel grateful for their blessings and also learned to share their blessings to those in need.

Charity work is a bit different nowadays. The new twist in giving back to the poor has to do with more advanced technology that is now available to us. Even ordinary citizens can easily set up GoFundMe pages for various causes and people who are more blessed than others are quick to pitch in and donate whatever amount they can. However, there are a few who takes advantage of the generosity of others and steals a portion of the money that should have been given to the poor.

Last week’s devastating Westminster attack left 5 people dead and a shocked nation reaching for their wallets to donate to the family of Keith Palmer, the valiant police officer who confronted Khalid Masood as he attempted to enter Parliament.

A JustGiving donations page was quickly set up and by the time it closed on Monday had raised an impressive £736,328 in donations for his family, far surpassing the £250,000 goal. 

JustGiving faced criticism over its 5 per cent administration fee, which it collects from all donations made through its site. The website made a voluntary donation of £10,000 to the fund; however, its fee on such a successful campaign will amount to more than £36,000.

Clearly some givers were surprised to hear that the site would take a slice of their generosity and there was a groundswell of disapproval.

(Via: http://www.independent.co.uk/money/how-to-give-without-giving-away-a7655616.html)

It is both surprising and depressing to think that there are people who can do these things. Charity should be about sharing your blessings without expecting anything in return but scammers found their way to milk money from other people’s generosity.

We have never given more online, with more than £2billion donated annually to good causes through websites, smartphones and social media.

But while the internet makes it easier to give money in seconds, fraudsters are also at the ready to exploit the explosion in online donations.

The Sunday People investigated after being tipped off about the fundraising appeal which we discovered was one of a number of alleged online donation scams.

Donors were touched by the story of Sgt Evans when he was separated from Ivy in Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Police dogs normally work for eight years, and she only had four under her collar – meaning the German Shepherd was too young to be considered for early retirement alongside Sgt Evans, who is nothing to do with the scam.

Following a petition signed by 140,000 people, fundraiser “Jacob Windsor” started a page to raise the £24,000 needed to train a new dog.

After concerns were raised, the Sunday People’s investigators started examining what checks were in place to prevent charity fundraising fraud.

(Via: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/go-fraud-me-scammers-use-10141963)

Life would be so much easier if we not only think about ourselves but the welfare of others. Life in itself is not fair – where others are born in luxury while the majority in poverty.

Not all charities are good causes. This may sound surprising, because we’re used to thinking of them all as being somehow virtuous, but they vary in their effectiveness. Smart donors know that good intentions alone aren’t enough.

Take, for example, the important goal of reducing cases of diarrhoea in Kenya — a major cause of child death. One solution is to provide chlorine at the water pump for people to add to their water when they collect it. Another is to deliver chlorine to households so people can add it there. Both of these sound pretty sensible, but researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found that providing chlorine at the water source prevents more than twice as many cases of diarrhoea for a given sum of money. Put another way, a lot of children will get a potentially fatal disease if donors make the wrong call about which programme to fund. Figuring out which programmes are good and which are simply mediocre is clearly important. That relies on collecting robust evidence — applying science to the problems we’re trying to solve.

(Via: https://www.ft.com/content/a30701b4-f5a4-11e5-803c-d27c7117d132)

Like any other important thing in life, eternal vigilance is what everyone needs to make sure that we are supporting the right causes. Wanting to help and extending help through charities can only make a difference in this world if our donations reach those who are in need and bring about the change and improvement in their lives we all want to see.

Scammers are just on the sidelines waiting to lure people who only want to help but happen to be too vulnerable and gullible for their own good. We can only change the world by changing the way we see and do things. Remember that charity always begins at home, so help yourself first before you can help others.

What Is Charity Like In The Modern World Read more on: Degrafa Blog

source https://www.degrafa.com/what-is-charity-like-in-the-modern-world/

Can Trump Eradicate Poverty In America?

The world thinks the U.S. is a mighty and progressive country. And in many ways, they are correct in their thinking. The U.S. supports other developing nations and gives out funding for different programs and services. For many, they also see America as a land of opportunities and a greener pasture where opportunities are endless if you just work hard enough.

What the rest of the world doesn’t know is that while the U.S. appears to be a formidable nation, it also struggles with internal issues, most of which involves government officials and policies, the economy and even that of poverty. Education is expensive in America, which is why many American youths no longer proceed to college after graduating from high school. Hence, they miss out on better work opportunities where more experienced and educated foreign workers qualify for.

It is the reason why a lot of American families rely on federal welfare. The number of the homeless people continues to rise as more employees get laid off from work because of budget cuts and a struggling economy. So, just what is the extent of poverty in America?

It’s a familiar tune: the United States is the most unequal country in the western world, with 13.5 per cent of its population living below the poverty line, according to the latest report from the US Census Bureau. This amounted to just over 43 million people in 2015.

Although this figure is a small improvement on the previous year, it is still very high for an industrialised country. And neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump has made the fight against this embarrassing statistic a priority.

The US Census Bureau sets the poverty line according to an individual’s income and family situation: for a couple with two children, for example, it is set at US$24,036 per year.

Its latest statistics are positive however on the economic recovery and the rise in living standards. They are the best figures since the 2007 recession.

Average household income rose by 5.2 per cent between 2014 and 2015, and it is the first time since 1999 that the three indicators of poverty, health cover and salaries have risen together.

But this recovery has passed poor Americans by. The Gini index – the tool used to calculate income inequality across a country – has risen over the years. It has increased 5.5 per cent since the first measurement was made in 1993.

(Via: https://www.equaltimes.org/combating-poverty-a-forgotten?lang=en#.WOULMDuGPIU)

The sad thing about this is that only a small percentage of the population enjoys 90% or more of the riches and resources of the nation while the rest suffer in poverty in silence, where families struggle to provide food on the table, a roof over their heads and to send their children to school. With each new administration, the people hope for things to change but it is probably far from happening under the Trump leadership.

As a candidate, President Donald Trump promised to focus on revitalizing predominantly rural and small-town industries across America, claiming that “[f]amily farms are the backbone of this country” and that “coal is coming back.” President Trump visited these small towns and rural areas promising voters he would “create massive numbers of jobs” and that he would “rebuild … your communities.” But the agenda that Trump is advancing—reflected in his “skinny budget” released today as well as in his reported past policy proposals and statements—reveals his bait and switch on voters in these very communities.

It was clear that President Trump’s promises never extended to the millions of Americans who live in small towns and rural areas. He did not, for example, visit or speak to the concerns of tribal reservations, predominantly African American communities in the Mississippi Delta, or largely Latino farming communities. And yet many rural and small-town voters responded favorably. These voters—specifically white rural voters—overwhelmingly chose Trump.

(Via: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/news/2017/03/16/428315/10-ways-president-trumps-agenda-will-harm-supporters-rural-small-town-america/)

President Trump won by a landslide in most rural places in America. I’m not sure how they must all feel now after seeing how the Trump presidency unfolds and his little regard for their welfare.

Political leaders and media organizations at all levels pile on these crimes-against-humanity and property values, and have significantly contributed to the self-inflicted injuries of lower economic prosperity. What I am referring to here is a significant decline in property tax revenues, and the negative impacts on Gross Domestic and National Product or Production. We are all Americans no matter what our race, creed, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. In other words, we are all representative members of the same human race or humanity and the United States economy. Obviously, the urban poverty problems have become endemic and pandemic.

Poverty tends to perpetuate itself and concentrate over multiple generations. Whether you call it PTSD issues or emotional-intelligence deficits -- the damages have become pathological and deeply cultural. There is much remedial work to be done, internally and externally to these urban communities across this country of ours.

(Via: http://wyso.org/post/dear-mr-president-urban-poverty-problems-have-become-endemic)

We should help one another despite color, race or religion because only in unity can real progress be achieved. It will take the concerted effort of the government and of the people to turn things around where everyone has equal opportunities and they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Until then, we can only wish that the time comes sooner rather than later. This thought can help everyone get through the hard times that we are all experiencing today as many are disappointed with the leader they have chosen to lead the country onward and upward.

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Should You Get Vaccinated?

A healthy body is your best defense against sickness. Our body is naturally equipped with antibodies that can fight off infections on its own. However, with the numerous stressors we face each day and the fact that even bacteria themselves evolve to become resistant to antibiotics.

Hence, getting yourself vaccinated is the best recourse to protecting yourself from illness and ensure you are always in great shape to do what you need to do each day. Infants and young children are required to get certain vaccinations and as we grew up, we think less and less of it unless we are asked to do so, like annual flu shots perhaps. Now, the question is, do we really need to get vaccinated or can we just rely on our natural antibodies to get us through our lifetime?

There are a number of reasons why adults need vaccines.

Vaccines wear off with time

Some vaccines given during childhood wear off with time. As a result, a booster shot(s) is needed during adulthood.

The dosing and timing varies, but an example is diphtheria and tetanus vaccines that require a booster every 10 years, even for adults.

Some infections are especially dangerous for older adults

Some diseases are especially dangerous and more common in adults, particularly those with weakened immune systems and the elderly. Vaccines do exist that prevent infections like influenza, shingles, and pneumococcal disease in this population.

Special circumstances

Under certain situations or circumstances, such as travel or working in a high risk occupation, some vaccines need to be administered to protect adults form infections. These include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Yellow fever and  Rabies.

Indirect protection of young children and others

Although there are effective vaccines that protect against common childhood infections, some vaccines are not able to be given to young infants especially those under 12 months of age.

Still other vaccines need several doses in order to offer full protection.

So, if these young children are exposed to an infection, they are at risk for getting it as they are not fully protected.

(Via: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2017/03/22/immunizations-arent-just-for-children----health-matters)

While many are clueless as to the value of immunization, it helps to learn about these things like immunization schedule according to your age and what immunizations require follow-up shots or boosters. Another mistake many are guilty of doing that is probably the reason why many diseases are hard to cure these days is too much antibiotic use.

“More and more commonly, we are seeing children who are admitted to the hospital, who have infections with more resistant bacteria than we have been in the past,” says Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases specialist Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse.

Rajapakse adds, “One of the biggest reasons for this is the amount of antibiotics children are getting now. We know that up to half of antibiotics that are prescribed are either completely unnecessary or inappropriate. By inappropriate, I mean either the dose of the antibiotic is incorrect or the duration or length of time that the antibiotic is prescribed for is incorrect, and that is one of the biggest drivers of resistance.”

She says that the overuse of antibiotics is the single biggest driver in antibiotic resistance.

What can parents do?

Encouraging good hand hygiene, staying up-to-date on vaccinations and good communication with your child’s health care provider are all ways parents can have an active role in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

“The best way to avoid recurrently being exposed to antibiotics is to prevent yourself or your child from getting infections in the first place,” says Rajapakse.

(Via: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2017/04/03/multidrug-resistant-infections-rising-children/100000600/)

And cliché as it may seem, prevention is still better than cure. Why let yourself go under undue stress, pain, and discomfort when just a shot of a vaccine can protect you from most illnesses that plague everyone around you.

A 2014 study suggested the flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admission by 74 percent during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 flu seasons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency estimates that from the 1976-1977 season to the 2006-2007 flu season, flu-associated deaths ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people overall. The elderly, young and immunosuppressed are especially at risk of suffering flu complications. It is unclear whether Piper had any underlying health conditions that would have increased her chance of serious illness.

(Via: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/11/01/woman-whose-daughter-died-after-skipping-flu-shot-raising-awareness-vaccine.html)

We all have a responsibility to take good care of our health and that of the people we love. And getting immunized is one of the best and easy ways to do that. In just one shot, you no longer have to worry about getting the constant flu that plagues most people you know. If you get sick all the time or is either a child or the elderly, this is also the solution you are looking for. There’s no question now whether you need a vaccine or not, the question is which one you need now.

Should You Get Vaccinated? is available on DeGrafa.com

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Virtual Meditation: What You Need To Know

People achieve inner calm and peace through meditation. Meditating clears your mind and helps you forget your problems and worries even for just a short while. It is an art that is perfected by monks and yogis. But even though you are not a monk or is probably a struggling yoga beginner, meditating can offer you a lot of health benefits aside from just giving you temporary inner peace.

But as technology progresses, what little time we have for ourselves to ponder and reflect on our life and life decisions is taken away by too much technology use. Many people today are hooked on social media and excessive smartphone use. We put ourselves under undue stress from the constant #FOMO, lack of sleep, and insecurities as we compare our lives to that of our family and friends. Instead of spending your free time tinkering with your gadgets or keeping yourself updated on what’s trending and viral online, why not give meditation a try. It is probably what we all need in a world that is fast becoming full of technological distractions by the day.

While studying  the effects of meditation on human health, researchers in medical professions found that the relaxation response obtained by practicing meditation affects a man’s subconscious mind as well as every cell of his body and it also raises his level of immunity, tolerance, self control and will power which are very useful in treatment. This relaxation response, according to researchers, comes from the area of the pituitary-hypothalamus combine. One gives out alpha and delta waves from this sub-cortical region when he/she engages their mind in Meditation. Thus, the importance of positive thinking for good health and harmonious nature is well established and meditation is considered as the easiest tool to achieve it. Unless a man’s mind is cured and his will to become well is strengthened, no long lasting results can be assured through medicine or surgery. So let us make a strong resolve to strengthen ourselves mentally by applying principles of positive thinking and create an aura of wellness around us to cure our self as well as the people around us.   

(Via: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/apr/04/self-healing-through-self-meditation-1589922.html)

Our body can only take so much. The daily grind is already a lot to take but not giving your body enough time to rest and recharge not only takes its toll on our physical health but on our mental and emotional well-being too.

Meanwhile, since we are already too preoccupied with technology, use, modern advancements has now allowed us to use our favorite gadgets when meditating.

The first thing I see is sunlight glistening off the gently rolling waves in the distance, while I stand on a small foliage-decked island so green it almost glows. Later, I'm standing on the balcony of the kind of aggressively minimalist luxury apartment only seen in movies and television shows. I can imagine a soft breeze flowing through these expansive spaces, but it's only that: imagination.

In fact, I'm standing in my own living room and in a virtual reality creation, one especially designed to complement the practice of meditation, or at least one very specific version of it.

The program I'm using is called Guided Meditation VR, and I'm experiencing it through an HTC Vive virtual reality headset connected to powerful desktop computer. Besides choosing from about a dozen different locales to meditate in, I can listen to a wide variety of audio programs, called guided meditations, that run from 2 to 10 minutes and cover topics from breathing to compassion. 

Meditation in virtual locations isn't the most traditional way to approach the practice, but it may entice skeptics who aren't keen to sit in their living rooms with their eyes shut. "VR adds a really powerful, emotional ability to be in another place and to actually feel that emotional weight of another place," says Josh Farkas, CEO of Cubicle Ninjas, Guided Meditation's developer. "You can meditate anywhere, but at the end of the day, the ability to actually go to a virtual world and take a breather lowers the barrier to entry, and I hope gets people more excited."

(Via: https://www.cnet.com/news/virtually-mindful/)

While others may raise their eyebrows on such unconventional methods of relaxation, you actually have nothing to lose but everything to gain. After all, if you can’t beat them, join them, right? We can’t stop technology from further advancing. And we can expect more unorthodox developments in the years to come.

If you find yourself glued to your smart gadget and can’t stop surfing the web throughout the day, why not give yourself a break and use technology itself to help you achieve your inner calm and peace. You don’t necessarily have to go on a retreat somewhere far away to be able to do so. You can now do it in the comfort of your own home and reap the same benefits that conventional meditation offers.

The article Virtual Meditation: What You Need To Know Read more on: https://www.degrafa.com

source https://www.degrafa.com/virtual-meditation-what-you-need-to-know/

San Diego Blossoms This Spring

The West Coast does not have to go through severe seasonal changes unlike states on the East Coast. And because of its location in the Southern part of California, you can enjoy a fairly temperate weather in San Diego. It is also home to acres upon acres of trees (some of which that need professional maintenance, for sure) that keep everyone cool and comfy despite the heat.

Who doesn’t like Spring, right? It’s like the perfect outdoor weather for everyone. But there is something more to look forward to in San Diego come Spring – cherry blossoms. You no longer have to cross the Pacific and travel thousands of miles away to see some pretty gorgeous cherry blossoms in bloom. San Diego is home to some of the prettiest cherry blossoms in the country and you’d feel transported to Japan just seeing these parks and gardens in bloom.

With the wildflower spread at Anza-Borrego Desert and the blooming of the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, Spring is definitely in the air. This year marks the twelfth anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Diego, which takes places every year at the Japanese garden on Park Blvd.

All weekend long from Friday, March 10th until Sunday, March 12th, experience the Japanese custom of hanami–a tradition focused on appreciating the cherry blossom flowers. During open hours of the garden on March 10-12th, beer, food, tea, and cultural experiences will liven up the this Japanese downtown hub. As of March 7th the cherry blossom trees are at about 50% bloom, with an estimation of peak bloom by early next week. The festival, known as Sakura Matsuri, will showcase the unique Japanese flowers that are a rare beauty. Bring your kids along to learn about a few key Japanese cultural practices while introducing them to the season of the bloom! 

(Via: http://www.sdentertainer.com/entertainment-events/cherry-blossom-festival-balboa-park-2017/)

These cherry blossoms are more than just eye candies but symbolize the close relations between San Diego and Yokohama, Japan, which happens to be sister cities. There are also a lot of things to do aside from just gawking on these beautiful blooms and taking lots of pictures that will surely go trending on social media.

General admission is $10. Students, military members and seniors (65+) pay $8, and children 6 and younger are free. The garden, compeleted in phases, first opened in 1991. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Upcoming events include a San Diego Potters’ Guild exhibit from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, including a live pottery demonstration, and the Edo Marionette Puppet Theater from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 30. The exhibit is free with garden admission.

The garden is a symbol of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. The garden’s design is based on centuries-old Japanese techniques adapted to San Diego’s climate and florae and seeks to foster a relationship between humans and nature, according to the garden’s website.

(Via: http://timesofsandiego.com/life/2017/03/21/balboa-park-beauty-cherry-trees-at-near-full-bloom/)

If you want to see more of these beautiful flowers, you can also head to nearby Coronado, California, which is also home to some of the most sought-after cherry blossom trees in America.

Coronado Flower Show, April 8–9, Coronado, California
Just across the bay from San Diego, Coronado, California, hosts the country’s largest tented flower show and has been doing so since 1922. If you’re into entire city blocks filled with flowers and competitions, this is the flower show for you. In addition to multiple floral competitions, there’s also a “home front” competition, which judges the best home and business gardens.

(Via: http://www.thedailymeal.com/entertain/8-best-spring-flower-shows-across-america-0)

Enjoy the arrival of Spring by seeing some cherry blossom flowers in bloom. Although a popular attraction in Japan, you need not go far now to see them yourself. Moreover, you can also do some many other cool things in San Diego that does not necessarily involve the beach. You can head to some trails where you can hike and commune with nature. You not only get to exercise but enjoy the breath of fresh air and an encounter with some of the wildlife.

Spring is also the best time to spruce up your home. They wouldn’t coin the term “spring cleaning” for no reason at all. After staying mostly indoors during the winter months, you can finally enjoy the day out in your yard and do exciting outdoor stuff and some of the more boring and menial tasks such as mowing the lawn, cleaning the yard, and fixing your home’s exterior. You get to enjoy the best of both worlds of Spring after all.

The article San Diego Blossoms This Spring is courtesy of Degrafa.com

source https://www.degrafa.com/san-diego-blossoms-this-spring/

Can Snoring Kill You?

We enjoy all the things we do, whether at school, at work, or at play. But at the end of the day, nothing is more comforting and rewarding than being able to lie down in bed and make our way to dreamland. Sleep is a vital human need. You’ll have a hard time functioning as a normal human being if you are sleep deprived.

Not only is sleep vital to restore normal body functions, it is also crucial to maintain good health always. Constant sleep deprivation can put you at higher risk of certain health diseases and disorder that were easily avoidable if you just sleep at least eight hours at night. But sometimes, lack of sleep can also be due to the loud snoring of your partner or perhaps the difficulty in breathing you experience while sleeping if you are a snorer yourself.

It might not be just an example of a bad habit. If snoring happens frequently, then it can make a great influence on quantity and quality of the sleeping and overall health. Snoring may cause problems not only for you but also for your roommates and loved ones. Returning to the health problems for snoring, it can cause headaches and fatigue during the daytime. Your snoring keeps the partner of yours awake all night. Therefore, you provide bad dreaming not only to yourself but also to the members of your family and close partners. It also creates a major problem for the relationship. The solution for this problem can`t be found in separate sleeping and separate rooms for sleeping.

Snoring comes to pay in times where you can`t breathe freely through your mouth or nose when sleeping. The surrounding tissue vibrates and produces this familiar snoring sound. People who have this issues have a floppy tissue that is more prone to vibrate and produce snoring. The tongue can also be a problem for snoring. In the very beginning of snoring it should be identified the problem why you started snoring. Therefore, to find snoring remedies, it`s necessary to find particular snoring causes.

(Via: https://ask.naij.com/health/is-snoring-bad-for-your-health-i28378.html)

Snoring can be a drag for many, especially for couples. Sleeping is a luxury for adults. Adult responsibilities can take up most of your time during the day and even at night that sleep is a welcome reprieve.

Here are some factors that contribute to snoring and what you can do to alleviate them.

Alcohol. Alcohol, a muscle relaxant, can slacken the tissues of your throat while you sleep. "We see this all the time," Dr. Patel says. "Spouses say the snoring is tolerable except for the nights when their partner has had a couple of beers."

Body weight. Extra fat tissue in the neck and throat can narrow the airways. Losing some weight could help to open the airways if the person is overweight or obese, although many people who are lean also snore.

Medications. Medications that relax muscles can make snoring worse. For example, tranquilizers such as lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium) can have this effect. In contrast, antihistamines may actually alleviate snoring by reducing nasal congestion.

Nasal congestion. Mucus constricts the nasal airways. Before bed, rinse stuffy sinuses with saline. If you have allergies, reduce dust mites and pet dander in your bedroom or use an allergy medication. If swollen nasal tissues are the problem, a humidifier or medication may reduce swelling.

Sleep position. When you lie on your back, slack tissues in the upper airways may droop and constrict breathing. Sleeping on your side may alleviate this. You can also try raising your torso with an extra pillow or by propping up the head of the bed a few inches.

Smoking. Men who snore are often advised not to smoke, but the evidence this will help is weak. Needless to say, there are already plenty of other good reasons to quit smoking.

(Via: http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/snoring-solutions)

These tips may help you overcome snoring, so you and your spouse can sleep soundly at night. Don’t allow yourself to constantly suffer from sleep deprivation or insomnia because help is available just as long as you ask. If you don’t, your health will suffer big time.

Apnea is one of a number of disorders that rob sufferers of recuperative sleep and, left untreated, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity and diabetes.

Sleep deprivation also can lead to depression, a weakening of the immune system and the chance for work-related or driving accidents. Driver fatigue is blamed for 83,000 motor vehicle accidents and 850 deaths a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States.

Sleep science is evolving and finding new ways to help patients. Pierce had an upper airway stimulating device, similar to a pacemaker, implanted in his chest in 2011 as part of a clinical trial and now uses it every night. He turns it on when he goes to bed, and it delivers what he describes as a mild pulse to his tongue and throat muscles to keep air flowing.

(Via: http://www.therecord.com/living-story/7069097-hope-for-sleep-apnea-patients/)

Try making some lifestyle changes that will not only improve your sleeping pattern and sleep quality at night but improve your overall health too. You can never get back lost sleep. Important body functions take place while we sleep and our growth is impeded if we lie awake at night and unable to sleep.

Aside from developing life-threatening conditions that affect the heart, nervous system, and the brain among others, constant breathing impediments caused by snoring can eventually kill you. So, take advantage of innovative anti-snoring devices and sleeping apps that can help you beat sleep apnea and let you sleep better and longer at night. If nothing works, surgery can help you overcome this sleeping problem for good.

The blog article Can Snoring Kill You? was originally published to Degrafa.com

source https://www.degrafa.com/can-snoring-kill-you/